Darts Accuracy Drills: Exercises to Sharpen Your Aim

Improving accuracy in darts is a journey that combines precision, consistency, and confidence. With the right drills and exercises, you can build a strong foundation, sharpen your aim, and improve your darts accuracy at the oche.

This guide provides essential drills designed to refine your targeting abilities, boost your consistency, and ultimately enhance your darts game. Let’s dive into the best accuracy drills to help you become a more consistent and confident player.

1. The Importance of Darts Accuracy

Accuracy in darts isn’t just about hitting a specific target—it’s about hitting that target consistently. The more accurate your throws, the better you can control the game and aim for desired scores or specific checkouts. Precision targeting gives you an advantage over your opponent, allowing you to score more points and close games quickly. Moreover, as you train to be more accurate, you build muscle memory, develop better hand-eye coordination, and grow more confident in your throws.

2. Essential Warm-Up: Developing Your Base Stance and Throw

Before jumping into specific accuracy drills, warming up is essential. Start with a relaxed throw to ease into the routine and pay attention to your stance, grip, and alignment with the dartboard. Here’s a quick warm-up routine:

• Stance Check: Position yourself at the oche, shoulder-width apart, with your leading foot pointed towards the dartboard. Ensure you’re comfortable and balanced.
• Grip and Alignment: Hold the dart firmly yet comfortably, aiming straight at the board. Keep your elbow up and align your forearm with the target.
• Throw Practice: Practice your throw by aiming at the 20 segment for consistency and control.

Once you’re comfortable and warmed up, you can dive into the accuracy drills.

3. The Single-Segment Target Drill

This drill helps improve targeting by focusing on single segments.

How to Perform:

1. Start by aiming at the 20 segment at the top of the dartboard.
2. Aim for the single segment—not the triple or double—keeping your focus on control rather than maximum points.
3. Throw 10 darts at the 20 segment, then move to 19, then 18, and so on until you complete the full dartboard cycle.

Goal:
Aim to hit each segment at least 8 out of 10 times before moving to the next one. This drill teaches you to control your throw and focus on specific areas of the board.

4. The Triple-20 Target Drill

The triple 20 is the highest-scoring segment on the board, making it an essential target for competitive players.

How to Perform:

1. Stand at the oche and aim for the triple 20 segment.
2. Throw 10 darts, recording how many land in the triple 20.
3. Repeat this drill and track your improvement over time.

Goal:
Consistency is key here. Set an achievable target, such as hitting the triple 20 five times out of 10 throws, and gradually increase it as your accuracy improves. This drill builds focus and teaches you to handle pressure by repeatedly aiming for a high-value target.

5. The Round-the-Clock Drill

This classic drill helps you get comfortable with hitting various segments of the dartboard in sequence.

How to Perform:

1. Begin by aiming at the 1 segment.
2. Once you hit it, move to the 2 segment, then 3, and so on, in a clockwise direction until you complete the entire dartboard.
3. If you miss a segment, keep throwing until you hit it before moving on to the next.

Goal:
This drill teaches you to adjust your aim and develop familiarity with each part of the dartboard. Try to complete the entire sequence with the fewest throws possible, and track your progress each time.

6. The Bullseye Drill

The bullseye (50 points) and the inner bull (25 points) are key targets, especially for checkouts. This drill focuses on mastering your bullseye accuracy.

How to Perform:

1. Stand at the oche and aim directly for the bullseye.
2. Throw 10 darts, counting how many land in either the bullseye or the surrounding inner bull ring.
3. Track your hits each time you practice, aiming to increase your bullseye success rate.

Goal:
Aim to hit the bullseye or inner bull 7 times out of 10. This drill will help you develop control over high-stakes shots, particularly useful during clutch moments in a game.

7. The Checkout Drill

Practicing specific checkouts can improve your accuracy when you need to finish a game. Choose various checkouts that require you to aim for doubles, triples, or even the bullseye.

How to Perform:

1. Select three or four common checkouts, such as 40 (D20), 36 (D18), 32 (D16), and 50 (bullseye).
2. Practice aiming for these targets, repeating each checkout until you can hit it consistently.
3. Record how many attempts it takes to hit each target.

Goal:
Focus on achieving each checkout within two darts. Practicing checkouts builds confidence and familiarity with specific sections of the board.

8. The Grouping Drill

This drill is about accuracy in grouping your darts closely together, enhancing consistency and control over your throws.

How to Perform:

1. Select a single segment on the dartboard, such as the 16 or 19.
2. Aim all three darts at this same segment, attempting to keep them grouped tightly together.
3. Repeat on different segments of the board.

Goal:
Your goal is to have all three darts land close to each other. This drill teaches control, helping you become comfortable with throwing consecutive darts in the same spot.

9. Blindfold Drill (Advanced)

The blindfold drill is an advanced exercise designed to build muscle memory and strengthen your natural feel for the throw.

How to Perform:

1. Position yourself at the oche, aiming at a target, and note your stance and alignment.
2. Close your eyes or use a blindfold, then throw your darts aiming for that target.
3. Check where your darts land and adjust your technique accordingly.

Goal:
Practice throwing while focusing on muscle memory, not sight. This drill can help you rely on a consistent motion, allowing for more confident throws over time.

10. Score Attack Drill

This drill is game-like, helping you practice under simulated scoring conditions.

How to Perform:

1. Set a score target, such as 301 or 501.
2. Play through the score, practicing your accuracy on high-value targets to reduce your score as efficiently as possible.
3. Finish with a double to simulate game completion.

Goal:
Complete the score in as few darts as possible. By regularly practicing with a set score, you can develop a sharper focus on accurate high scoring.

Tips for Staying Consistent with Drills

1. Set Realistic Goals: Track your progress and set achievable targets for each drill.
2. Maintain Focus: Avoid distractions during practice, focusing entirely on each throw.
3. Review and Reflect: Review your performance after each session, noting areas of improvement.
4. Consistency is Key: Regular, focused practice will build accuracy and consistency over time.

Mastering accuracy in darts requires dedicated practice, strategic drills, and patience. By incorporating these drills into your training routine, you’ll gradually improve your aim, focus, and consistency at the oche. Remember, darts is as much a mental game as it is physical, so stay positive, track your progress, and keep practicing. With consistent effort, you’ll see noticeable improvements in your accuracy, leading to better scores and more success in your darts matches.